Simmons to Start Hip-Hop VOD Channel

Entrepreneur Russell Simmons is going ahead with plans to start a hip-hop-based video-on-demand channel to launch sometime in 2005.

The yet-to-be-named network -- owned and operated by Simmons’ media company, Simmons Lathan Media Group -- will offer content from the company’s library of cable programs, such as Def Comedy Jam, and its direct-to-home-video titles, according to Simmons Lathan founder Will Griffin.